The former schoolhouse in Eresing—a village near Lake Ammer—had outlived its purpose and fallen into serious disrepair. Determined to preserve the historic structure at its center, the municipality purchased the building with plans to transform it into a community hub. A design competition was launched, and Munich-based architect Christoph Maas won first prize. The project became part of a broader village renewal initiative. What set the winning design apart was an ingenious proposal: rather than renovate the deteriorating structure, Maas suggested replacing it with a new building of identical proportions while salvaging and reusing the original roof beams. The new structure would house the town hall, mayor's office, and a flexible community foyer.

The program was organized with a lecture room, mayor's office, and administrative spaces on the ground floor, with a council chamber above. The community hall intentionally addresses St. Ulrich church—the village's defining landmark to the west. The entire gable wall is glazed and fitted with vertical wooden louvers, carefully spaced to balance natural light with privacy. At ground level, the flexible foyer opens directly onto the village square to the south, extending the public realm and accommodating outdoor celebrations. The building's form and roofline deliberately echo the original school, ensuring seamless integration with the village character. The greatest technical challenge was incorporating the historic timber truss into the contemporary design. Built from brick and finished in white render, the roof structure—complete with its preserved timber frame—remains visible, while acoustically treated wooden slats enhance the council chamber above.

All interior elements—doors, built-in cabinetry, kitchen, and flooring—are crafted from oak, while windows and exterior doors feature larch. The project progressed from initial planning through completion between 2019 and 2021. As a vital centerpiece of the town center's revitalization, the Kulturrathaus anchors a broader initiative to strengthen the village heart. To further define and enliven the square—reinforcing its role as the connection between the Kulturrathaus, the parish house, the church, and the traditional inn—Eresing commissioned landscape architects Valentien + Valentien to reimagine the public space.

www.maas-architekt.com

Photography Credits:

Stephan Wagner
www.stefanwagner.photo

(Published in CUBE Munich 01|23)